General Resources

PA Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative
Mission -The Pennsylvania Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative is a multi-system collaboration to reduce youth suicide. Vision -Youth suicide prevention will be embraced and incorporated into the fabric of every community in Pennsylvania to address the social and emotional needs of youth at risk and survivors of suicide.

Pennsylvania Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Provides resources to educators and other stakeholders on youth and adult suicide prevention.        

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
A  membership organization for all those involved in suicide prevention and intervention, or touched by suicide. AAS is a leader in the advancement of scientific and programmatic efforts in suicide prevention through research, education and training, the development of standards and resources, and survivor support services.        

Services for Teens At Risk (STAR Center)
A comprehensive research, treatment, and training center. Funded by the State of Pennsylvania's General Assembly in 1986 to address adolescent suicide and depression, the program provides individual assessment and treatment to teens that are experiencing depression and suicidality. They also provide community education services about depression and suicidality to schools, social service agencies, churches and other organizations that request them.        

The Trevor Project
Leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth.        

This video from the Society for Prevention of Teen Suicide is a good reference for parents. It is free of charge. http://www.sptsusa.org/not-my-kid/

The following websites provide resources and information to support Pennsylvania schools in meeting Act 71 requirements:

• PDE's Office for Safe Schools
  • Visit PDE’s Act 71 webpage to find information on policy, professional development, and student programs/resources for suicide awareness and prevention

• Pennsylvania Youth Suicide Prevention Initiative (PAYSPI): http://payspi.org/
  • Visit PAYSPI’s Act 71 webpage to find information on policy and gatekeeper training, including lists of training options organized by duration, cost, and intended audience
  • Visit the Information for Schools page for additional resources

• Additional state and national organizations focused on suicide prevention include the Services for Teens at Risk (STAR) Center, Jana Marie Foundation, Aevidum, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC), The Trevor Project, and the American Association of Suicidology (AAS)

Prevent Suicide PA and the Pennsylvania Garrett Lee Smith Youth Suicide Prevention Grant are pleased to announce that the Suicide Prevention Online Learning Center is now live!  This site is designed to provide current and evidence-based information to anyone who may come into contact with individuals struggling with suicidal thoughts and behaviors, including educators, mental health professionals, medical professionals, and the general community.  

The Online Learning Center can be accessed by visiting https://preventsuicidepalearning.com/.

Select featured courses include the following:

• Suicide Prevention for Educators (an 8-class course that can fulfill Act 71 requirements for schools)
• Clinical Approaches to Suicide Prevention for School-based Counselors
• Method Restriction: Primary Care and Public Health Approaches

When visiting the site for the first time, users must click the “login” tab to register, creating a username and password.  Then, click the “All Courses” tab to view all site content.  Any trainings that users complete will be documented on a transcript that may be downloaded and some courses will offer printable certificates.

We hope you find this new training resource useful in supporting your personal and professional suicide prevention efforts!